Does anyone have experience with this type of missed miscarriage procedure? My understanding is that it's a step down from a D&C, is performed at the OB's office (not hospital) with a catheter and ultrasound? I don't know a ton more and can't find much online. Hoping (sadly) that someone else has similar experience or went through this and can provide some insight... 
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@LindsayInNY: I am so sorry to hear this. Thinking of you.
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@LindsayInNY: I'm so sorry for your loss
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I'm so sorry you have to be asking. I've only had traditional/electric aspiration done on me, but, I have a lot of experience with the difference (or mostly lack of difference) between the two from my work.
Either way, what happens during the procedure is
- speculum exam
- local cervical anesthetic
- cervical dilation (sometimes not needed for miscarriage management of early pregnancies)
- insertion of a suction cannula (like a straw -- sometimes it is hard plastic, sometimes it flexible)
- suction is attached to the cannula to empty the uterusAn experienced provider should be able to complete the procedure in under 5 minutes. If you're not having sedation it is really uncomfortable and crampy for about half that time, but usually not quite painful.
The difference is just how the suction is generated. Some clinicians prefer the MVA (which looks like a big syringe), some prefer electric suction. MVAs are more popular in outpatient settings that don't do a high volume of aspiration procedures because the electric machines are about the same size and shape as a mini-fridge.
Beyond that, the difference is clinician preference. Most clinicians who trained within the last 15 years seem to prefer MVA, most older clinicians seem to prefer electric. Both are safe; both are effective -- it's just a thing that's changed over time based on the preferences of a few doctors who trained a lot of younger clinicians.
The name D&C (dilation and curettage) stands for something that basically no one ever does anymore -- emptying the uterus with a curette (scoop-like tool) rather than with a cannula (straw-like tool) and suction. Some of the oldest doctors I know still finish their suction procedures with a brief currette pass, but it isn't considered best practice and is no longer taught or recommended.
Thinking of you.
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@LindsayInNY: I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. Can you at least as for a small dosage Valium or something similar?
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I'm really sorry you are going through this
I had a missed mc in 2013 at 13 weeks. I was referred to an OB (as I was seeing a midwife) who did the procedure. They put me under in the ob office and I don't remember any of the procedure. I had cramping afterwards and was bleeding for about a week after. It was actually "better" than my previous "natural" mc where I bled on and off for a month. Eta: one of the worst parts wasn't the pain but sitting in the waiting room with pregnant moms.I hope your ob is compassionate and that you give yourself and Get as much love and comfort as possible from those around you.
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@LindsayInNY: I’m so incredibly sad to read this.
I had 2 missed MCs, one around 7 weeks and one around 11 weeks.
I didn’t have manual aspiration but I had a D&C. I can’t recall if you ever had one, but I highly recommend it to anyone going through a MC. It’s done in the hospital and you don’t remember a single thing (I think they use twilight sedation). I think that being awake and doing it in the doc office could be kinda traumatic?
Is there a reason why they want to do manual aspiration in their office?Hugs and feel free to message me if you have more questions.
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I'm so sorry
I didn't have this done, I had a regular D&C done under twilight sedation and it was a very quick and easy procedure, and I had no pain. I only experienced some cramping after and some major constipation issues from the anesthesia and Vicodin. I personally would want to be under some sort of sedation or have an anesthesia placed during the procedure.
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I'm so so sorry. To echo others, I had a D&C done under general anesthesia. It was what my doctor told me to do, so I did. It was comforting to not have to be awake.
Sending you healing thoughts. -
I’m so sorry to read this
I had a vacuum d&c at a surgery center. I’m sure it cost more than an office procedure (not offered to me) but I had heard some traumatic stories of being awake during the procedure and probably would have chosen anesthesia anyway - I was already traumatized enough. I hope some sedation is offered to you of some kind. My physical recovery was easy except for the hormonal side which was rough. Hoping it goes as easily as these things can for you
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I'm really sorry
I was put completely under, as this was the only option my RE offered. Besides this, I don't know the details of how the tissue was removed, except that it was under ultrasound guidance. I was a bit nervous about the anesthesia and if given a choice at the time probably would have done it without being put under because I was worried about that part, but it ended up being pain and complication free, and whatever sedation they gave made me feel so relaxed for awhile after.
Thinking of you and sending lots of thoughts for healing
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I'm really sorry to hear. I also went under several D&C procedures, and I would rather do it that way to know that everything was taken care of and there was no chance of anything left. Sending you lots of love.
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I'm so sorry for your loss. I've had a natural loss and a D&C but not the procedure you mentioned. I was absolutely terrified for the D&C and considered taking misoprostol because the thought of going to the hospital and going under seemed scary. My doctor urged me to move forward with the D&C and I was glad I did. It was relatively fast and I had no pain and I did end up glad I went that route. The hospital setting definitely made it seem scarier but I also liked that I was there in case anything went wrong. I should also note I did end up with some minor scarring in my uterus (we think), which may have contributed to a pregnancy/postpartum condition (a very mild case of placenta acreta) I developed when I got pregnant a month later but that may have been more so due to the fact that I got pregnant the very next cycle. I don't think my problem is very common but it might be worth talking to your doctor about which method would be less likely to result in scarring in the uterus.
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@lilyofthewest: That was extremely helpful. Thank you!
@agold: I actually thought about asking for something like that...
@sweetiepie: I think it's based on how far along I am (or baby is/was?). Baby only stopped growing at 8 weeks so I think it's easy enough for them to just do in office? I'm guessing here.
@2peasinapod: That's what I didn't want to opt for whatever medication. In case, god forbid, it doesn't fully work. Plus I don't want to be out and about or at work when it finally does it's job OR have to see any of that...
@shantuck: Misoprostol was the other thing recommended but I don't know much about it. Never mind what if it doesn't 100% work? I think she said the in-office procedure wouldn't affect or touch my uterus? Or that was the risk, that it could?
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@LindsayInNY: My loss was 3 days before Christmas so my doctor discouraged the misoprostol primarily because of the timing. I ended up taking misoprotol postpartum to help remove some retainined placenta due to my placenta acreta and had a huge bleeding scare that landed me in the ER. I'd probably be interested in the procedure that your doctor is describing because they can confirm all of the tissue is removed with the guidance of the ultrasound but it sounds like it would perhaps be gentler on the uterus than a traditional D&C. I guess the major drawback is having to be awake for it but if they can give you something for pain management, maybe that is the best case scenario. Again, sorry you are having to go through this. It is truly awful.
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I am so, so, so sorry
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@LindsayInNY: I had one around 6/7 weeks and they still did a full D&C at the hospital. If it were me (and you obviously don’t have to take my suggestion) I would ask them why they aren’t offering that. Yeah it’s more of a hubbub being at the hospital and having anesthesia. But if it’s better for your comfort and mental recovery, I think it’s worth it.
I just didn’t want to feel/hear/see/know anything that was going on. I took a nap, woke up and it was over. I had light spotting for a few days and got my period about 5/6 weeks later. Despite being what it is, it was a very easy recovery physically and emotionally. I mean, it sucked, don’t get me wrong. But it was easier than other miscarriage experiences I had.
My heart hurts for you, just do what you feel works best for you and if that is taking your docs advice and doing the manual, do it. I just wanted to offer my perspective and experience. Big hugs.
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